Whoa!
Now that's a positive development we all want to hear!
Not only we three will get the opportunity to play matchmaker to Andrea and John Mark, but also put an end to Andrea's indecisiveness that prevents her from having a better life she will give herself and her sisters!
Thank you, our gallant bouncer!
Looks like we'll set up a plan once we wake up tomorrow!
So after we go home and call it a night…
We immediately draft a plan once we are all done with breakfast.
And that plan, of course, will be implemented tonight.
We just bide our time by resting our bodies and voices.
And before we know it, we're all at the bar once more.
Time to enact the plan.
The plan itself requires the cooperation of every other employee in the bar; and since they all know of the circumstances behind Andrea and John Mark, they all swiftly agree to it.
***
Why does he have his sights on me?
Because he simply pities me, knowing me and my sisters are orphaned and I still don't have a course in mind?
Or… there's something that enables his pity itself?
Is it…
No! I shouldn't cloud my brain with sentimental thoughts! I do my daily grind, so that I and my surviving family will live for another day!
But then…
My heart beats an unusual rhythm.
It basically calls out for him, which is the exact opposite of the general thoughts gathered in my brain.
Simply put, I am currently in a conflict.
Brain versus heart. Which one should I follow?
If I follow my brain, I would just politely reject his advances, but at what cost?
I might indeed end up as an unmarried woman without a diploma to be proud of, and our parents would be greatly ashamed at me, seeing that I have wasted my potential as their firstborn!
If I follow my heart, he would help me choose my course, and my load as the breadwinner would be lightened, but at what cost?
I fear that his good Samaritan attitude might be a cover for his nasty true colors, and he might become a womanizer, or even worse, a homewrecker!
So if I choose, I would still lose.
No. This is a defeatist attitude you've got right here, Andrea.
You've sacrificed so much for your sisters that you've ignored your own happiness.
So then… why not pay attention to your own happiness… and maybe… just maybe… help make others happy, too?
Yes. If I should help other people, I should do it with grace, so that other people will know they are grateful to me.
Happiness isn't a one-way street, anyway.
It should be spread to people with the most extensive of networks and reaches.
And thus, I will shed off that indecisiveness of mine.
I will… follow my heart… and open it to John Mark.
And tonight… is my one and only shot at this.
Mushy Baby's Drift Country Bar and Restaurant.
8:30 pm.
***
A bachelor's life isn't easy.
Sure, I have no girlfriend to add to my already huge list of priorities that include video games, reading men's magazines full of saucy models, gym training sessions, and my daytime job of being a virtual assistant; but in my heart and in my mind, there's a certain void that is growing everyday.
And if I don't do something about that void, it would eventually consume my very soul.
Thankfully, an event stopped the void from encroaching everything within me.
Bored of my usual activities, I leave my pad and decide to go to a random place.
And that random place… is a branch of the Fulton County Library System.
So, it's been a while since I've entered a library, eh?
Better get inside.
And here, in this depository of knowledge contained in millions of pages...
I encountered this girl.
An 18- or 19-something girl, wearing a one-piece white sleeveless dress, which strangely complements her slightly dark skin.
And her face… she's undoubtedly cute.
And she's currently in distress, as she just tripped and left her books scatter all over her.
My first words to her were…
"You look like a breadwinner. Can I help you?"
I even extended my hand to complement this offer of help.
She just answered, "Yes, you can. I… ow! I think I sprained my ankle!"
Noticing the problem area, I gave it a prompt first aid, by slowly and smoothly massaging it.
I then asked her, "There. Feeling all better now?"
"Y-Yes."
"But I'll still pick up the books for you."
"Yes, I've just borrowed them and are about to take them home, anyway."
"How about I carry them for you?"
"W-What?!"
She just emanated a luminescent blush, but she regained her composure afterward.
"Yes, yes, if that would help me heal my ankle faster. Thank for the help."
And that was how I, John Mark Bertes, first met Andrea Balakrishnan.
***
Of course, the most critical components of this plan are the two themselves.
They have to visit this place as promised, or all will be for naught.
And fortunately, John Mark and Andrea show up together, just as Leigh and I are ready for our performance as Brave Ad 65.
Aurora is more than happy to lead the way for the two, as they will sit at the front in her place.
The lights then dim, and the focus light shines on the owner/manager himself, Zach, who gives a short speech.
"Tonight is a special night for two people who were, days ago, strangers to each another. But via the whims of fate, these two are brought together; and we, the proud employees and patrons of Mushy Baby's Drift Country Bar and Restaurant, are more than happy to sign and seal their growing love for each other. Without further ado, tonight is dedicated to the two lovebirds, John Mark Bertes and Andrea Balakrishnan!"
Everyone gives a heartfelt round of applause as the lights are back and we start strumming.
Our own contribution to this plan is a set list consisting of nothing but impromptu romantic chords.
Yeah, we're getting Spanish-flavored here, since these chord sequences we make out of the blue are highly influenced by flamenco.
Lyrics aren't necessary for this one, especially not the "Toro! Toro! Toro!" ones.
Alright, Aurora, it's your turn now.
***
Alright. Time to to show everyone what I'm made of.
Based on the thirty-minute training I've received from Dax, I'm tasked to produce what is called "unseasonal snow" as a special effect (SFX).
This is possible by rolling down several incredibly thin and transparent screens around the walls of the establishment, and then remotely activating the special effect via smartphone.
"Unseasonal snow" is just a gimmicky term for simulated snow that falls inside an establishment in June.
No matter how one slices it, the name's wonderful, isn't it?
Doesn't this just beat all?
***
And the rest of the employees are now doing their own parts, as John Mark and Andrea are being served a full-course romantic dinner that best represents our establishment's specialties.
Of course, our bartender serves the drinks that best accentuate the current mood.
All while Leigh and I are still strumming to no end.
***
I can't believe this! / I can't believe this!
They did all this for us, Andrea! / They did all this for us, John Mark!
I guess… our roads did cross… and there's no escaping it. / I guess… I've finally found someone to lighten my load.
I just want to become less lonely. / I just want to shed off my indecisiveness.
I want to do more for you, in a clean and efficient way. / I want you to help me do more for my immediate family.
I want to meet your wonderful little sisters. / I am more than curious about those… "saucy bromides" you hand out to random girls.
I want to cook traditional Indian food to show what I'm truly made of. / I want to take on a ride on your awesome sports car – and I don't mind if it's second-hand.
If you want to help me complement what I am, then be my guest. / If you want to help me choose what course for college, then it's all fine and dandy.
As long as you earn my trust, I'll be fine. / As long as you earn my trust, I'll be fine.
As long as you understand everything about me, I'll be fine. / As long as you understand everything about me, I'll be fine.
As long as we are mutually linked, I'll be fine. / As long as we are mutually linked, I'll be fine.
From now on, Andrea… / From now on, John Mark…
We will walk this snow-laden path together.
***
In the end, John Mark Bertes and Andrea Balakrishnan said yes, and are currently engaged to each other.
And in celebration of their milestone, we decide that we will have a radio-friendly (yet still all-instrumental) version of the impromptu chords we've played tonight, and it'll be named… surprise, surprise, "Unseasonal Snow".
We, the three, wish them all the best…
...the same way we wish one another the best.